We don qualify; So whats next?

[charlie]

Well done Super Eagles for your qualification run. You made sure there is absolutely no doubt you were the best team in your group, and this is a testament to a great coaching crew led by Gerald Rohr, and your own dedication and preparation as professionals.

So whats next? Well now the hard work begins.
It is my hope that over the next months, the football administration team executes a clear and elaborate training program and friendly match schedule to get this squad ready for Russia.
Here are my proposals.

1. Nacho and Musa should lead the squad in our last match in Algeria. Use this opportunity to also test out new young players to bolster our midfield and defense where we still need some depth. I am particularly concerned that when Mikel is out of the squad, we do not look as composed as we are with him.

2. Use Rohr's european contacts to immediately schedule grade A friendlies with European power houses only (Germany, France, Spain, England, Italy etc). We can no longer afford to waste international friendlies on world minnows (no disrespect intended).

3. Plan a south american 2-3 game tour against teams like Chile, Peru, Mexico, Equador, etc. We have historically struggled more against south american competition than european competition at the world cup and knowing our luck, chances are we will find ourselves in the same group as Argentina once again (never count them out)

We have a solid core of players and coaching team that are well positioned to do well in Russia. Now is the time to prepare and strengthen our core for the big dance. With the right exposure to top competition, I am confident this squad can target the semi-finals as a goal for this world cup.

[kajifu]

I think SE should go to Russia with one target and it should be bring the cup to the continent,i have look at the WQ i know the world cup is 9 months away but the is no team SE cant beat when the right personal and tactics is apply.No need to go to just take part and play 3 or 4 games and back home.
Go SE,make Africa great a gain.

[osita]

I have said it and I will repeat it. Nwakali should be introduced to our team and gradually integrate with other players. His ability is similar to mikel, that ability to shield or protect the ball and laying that pass.

Also we need to try Aina for 90 mins in Algeria while we try the Nigeria striker in Brugge and olayika in Belgium.

[icee]

everyone now just talking and making proposals abi.??? SMH

[Scipio Africanus]

everyone now just talking and making proposals abi.??? SMH

They deserve it after the last year of tension soaked matches.

[ogasir]

everyone now just talking and making proposals abi.??? SMH

So what? Why shouldn't we?

[Cellular]

Lord save us from the likes of Ohenhen, Vancity, wAyo, et. al... every day dem go come with list of players and possible line ups.


Feeling sorry for Rohr right about now. He has no clue what he is about to face...

[charlie]

everyone now just talking and making proposals abi.??? SMH

Remind me the purpose of this site. If you dont have proposals of your own, no one is forcing you to comment.

[txj]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

[Cellular]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

I agree with your points. I also think the two Nwakalis should be looked at. And like you, I feel if you are good enough, you are old enough. Afraid of our ball retention without Mikel.
Would love to see quality options in defense...

Rohr and his scouting department have their work cut out for them...

Personally, maintaining team chemistry is of utmost importance to me.

[Synopsis]

[Enugu II]

Lord save us from the likes of Ohenhen, Vancity, wAyo, et. al... every day dem go come with list of players and possible line ups.


Feeling sorry for Rohr right about now. He has no clue what he is about to face...

[Benedict Iroha]

Mexico is not in south america

[Bell]

DOES ANYONE TAKE A TABLE LIKE THIS (WITH THE ALLEGED RANKINGS) SERIOUSLY? AS THEY SAY...

...that's why they play the game.
Bell

[Enugu II]

[charlie]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

I agree with your points. I also think the two Nwakalis should be looked at. And like you, I feel if you are good enough, you are old enough. Afraid of our ball retention without Mikel.
Would love to see quality options in defense...

Rohr and his scouting department have their work cut out for them...

Personally, maintaining team chemistry is of utmost importance to me.

Txj, I have to disagree with your point #1. Ezenwa has so far proven himself as very capable. He conceeded only 2 goals from open play in the qualifiers (though that penalty against cameroon was an egregious blunder). Bringing Enyema back now is probably not the best option. I remember when Enyema started, many people had the same complaints about him we are hearing about Ezenwa (brash, poor decision making but great shot stoper with cat like reflexes, etc).

This is why playing quality competition in friendlies is paramount. Until Ezenwa faces the Mbape's, Suarev's and Messi's of the world we wont know if he has "it" yet.

Me, I suggest that we postpone the decision to bring Enyema back until Ezenwa proves without doubt that he is not ready.
As for Echiejile at that LB position, he needs to watch out for Ola Aina. That bobo is gunning for his position.

[metalalloy]

I have said it and I will repeat it. Nwakali should be introduced to our team and gradually integrate with other players. His ability is similar to mikel, that ability to shield or protect the ball and laying that pass.

Also we need to try Aina for 90 mins in Algeria while we try the Nigeria striker in Brugge and olayika in Belgium.

I agree. Mikel is our biggest weak link in the sense that if he is injured, we are done for at the moment. We still havent found a replacement for him.

[metalalloy]

Lord save us from the likes of Ohenhen, Vancity, wAyo, et. al... every day dem go come with list of players and possible line ups.


Feeling sorry for Rohr right about now. He has no clue what he is about to face...

[metalalloy]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

I agree with your points. I also think the two Nwakalis should be looked at. And like you, I feel if you are good enough, you are old enough. Afraid of our ball retention without Mikel.
Would love to see quality options in defense...

Rohr and his scouting department have their work cut out for them...

Personally, maintaining team chemistry is of utmost importance to me.

Txj, I have to disagree with your point #1. Ezenwa has so far proven himself as very capable. He conceeded only 2 goals from open play in the qualifiers (though that penalty against cameroon was an egregious blunder). Bringing Enyema back now is probably not the best option. I remember when Enyema started, many people had the same complaints about him we are hearing about Ezenwa (brash, poor decision making but great shot stoper with cat like reflexes, etc).

This is why playing quality competition in friendlies is paramount. Until Ezenwa faces the Mbape's, Suarev's and Messi's of the world we wont know if he has "it" yet.

Me, I suggest that we postpone the decision to bring Enyema back until Ezenwa proves without doubt that he is not ready.
As for Echiejile at that LB position, he needs to watch out for Ola Aina. That bobo is gunning for his position.

At that point it will most likely be too late. We have three GK spots, Ezenwa has def earned a right to be considered. Apart from him, everything is wide open. It is unlikely Ikeme will be ready if he recovers from his illness, and shell shocked akpeyi has no business anywhere in Russia abeg. Once Enyeama gets a club (which he will) he should be brought back into the fold to compete for a spot. You can't buy his experience and skill anywhere.

[mcal]

...with oyinbo man at the helms expect the thieves to cave in to all his demands in preparing Russia. Big time friendlies coming.

[mapet]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

I agree with your points. I also think the two Nwakalis should be looked at. And like you, I feel if you are good enough, you are old enough. Afraid of our ball retention without Mikel.
Would love to see quality options in defense...

Rohr and his scouting department have their work cut out for them...

Personally, maintaining team chemistry is of utmost importance to me.

Txj, I have to disagree with your point #1. Ezenwa has so far proven himself as very capable. He conceeded only 2 goals from open play in the qualifiers (though that penalty against cameroon was an egregious blunder). Bringing Enyema back now is probably not the best option. I remember when Enyema started, many people had the same complaints about him we are hearing about Ezenwa (brash, poor decision making but great shot stoper with cat like reflexes, etc).

This is why playing quality competition in friendlies is paramount. Until Ezenwa faces the Mbape's, Suarev's and Messi's of the world we wont know if he has "it" yet.

Me, I suggest that we postpone the decision to bring Enyema back until Ezenwa proves without doubt that he is not ready.
As for Echiejile at that LB position, he needs to watch out for Ola Aina. That bobo is gunning for his position.

I absolutely agree with you. Ezenwa has earned his stripes. We better start planning on Ezenwa now. He has become a "govt-property" now. Get him as many games as possible, get special goal-keepers training on a 6-months program.

[The YeyeMan]

What's next?

Develop new/additional options in the following positions:

1. GK: I hate to say it, but, Get Enyeama back! As soon as he gets a starting position in a Grade A team. Ezenwa is an NPL level GK, period...

2. A left-footed LB to challenge Echiejile. Take another look at the guy in Egypt. Maroof I think...

3. Play Mikel Agu in next game over Onazi so he can develop confidence. And play him in Grade A friendlies. His ball holding skills are quite interesting...

4. Start looking for additional options in CM: keep an eye on Joel Obi in spite of his injury history

5. Talk with Solanke, NOT Abraham

Someone had to say it about Ezenwa. I like him but under no circumstances should he be pitted against the world's best if Enyeama and Ikeme are available.

Solanke over Abraham, interesting..... I'd say Solanke offers something Nigeria's current array of strikers don't possess.

Agreed on Joel, and the left back and CM positions....